[cripplecreek]

In Missouri:

The Grand Jury is composed of twelve citizens who are chosen at random by a circuit judge, who presides over the Grand Jury. A new Grand Jury is chosen for each of the three Terms of Court held each year. Since the St. Louis County Grand Jury meets every Wednesday during the term, a Grand Juror can expect to serve approximately sixteen to twenty days during that period.

The Grand Jury's function is to make an important preliminary decision about a criminal charge: whether or not probable cause exists that a crime has been committed and that the accused committed it. All felony charges must be presented for consideration either by the Grand Jury or by an associate circuit judge at a preliminary examination, and a little less than half of the cases prosecuted in St. Louis County are presented to the Grand Jury. If probable cause is found in either of these equivalent proceedings, a "True Bill" is found, an indictment is filed, and the criminal charge against the accused may continue on to trial or plea of guilty. If probable cause is not found, a "No True Bill" is found, and prosecution of the case ceases. The Grand Jury, thus, determines the future of all criminal cases brought before it.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY


The prosecutor doesn't pick or control the grand jury in any way. He presents whatever evidence the jury asks for. Its not presented like a trial with a prosecutor and defense attorney arguing a case. The jury asks for evidence and calls witnesses of their choosing. In this case McCulloch removed himself immediately and handed the case off to an assistant prosecutor in case he (McCulloch) were to be called as a witness.

[nclaurel]

With all the media attention originally given this matter and the racial tensions Obama and Holder have caused for 6 years and the grand jury meeting only on Wednesdays, that helps me understand why this has taken so much time. Juries are actually only working a few hours on the days in session(Wednesdays) and to cover material fully would take time. If they had come in with quick decision one side or the other would have screamed they did not fully consider facts. Thanks for the information.